Stocks dip ahead of pivotal week in Europe

Revenue at Lowe's Cos. stores open at least a year dipped 0.4 percent

NEW YORK — Stock futures are heading lower on poor corporate earnings in the U.S. and ahead of a pivotal week in Europe.

Dow Jones industrial futures are down 18 points to 13,229. The broader S&P futures have given up 1.2 points to 1,414. Nasdaq futures are down 1.25 points to 2,774.75.

Lowe’s Cos., the world’s second-largest home improvement retailer, missed Wall Street expectations and booked charges for cutting staff. Revenue at stores open at least a year dipped 0.4 percent.

Just before the arrival of Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in Germany, where most expect him to ask for an extension to accomplish punishing fiscal targets, the Bundesbank again questioned the idea of buying bonds to lower high interest yields faced by troubled European nations. Germany’s central bank sees “substantial risks.”